Raj M. Isaac, a retired senior education specialist based in Umdloti, shares his tips for encouraging meaningful reading among children.
With the explosion of knowledge in the 21st century, it is imperative that we keep ourselves informed, whether it is for social interaction or study purposes. And because a large volume of knowledge is in written form, it’s important to be able to understand what we are reading.
Writers sometimes try to persuade readers to accept a point of view; therefore, we cannot accept everything we read at face value. What is important is that we read for meaning, while critically interrogating what we read. Of course, all this does not prevent reading for enjoyment, when we immerse ourselves in the written word while marvelling at the creative use of language.
Parents play a significant role in instilling a love of reading in our children. Here are some ideas of what you can do to encourage your child not only to love reading, but to read meaningfully and critically from an early age.
1. Let them see you read
Children are great imitators. Therefore, if they see you read, whether it a newspaper, magazine, or book, they will imitate you. It is not uncommon to see very young children pretending to read, even if they are holding the book upside down!
2. Create a reading-friendly environment at home
Reading material should be an integral part of the home environment. Whether children see a study or a reading shelf full of books, they will begin to understand that reading is an important part of their parents’ lives and should therefore be a part of theirs.
3. Create a cozy reading space
Many children like their parents to read to them at bedtime. The bed is a particularly comforting space for them. It is also a good idea to create other cozy reading spaces. Make these spaces inviting – with comfortable seating, pillows, blankets and good lighting – somewhere both of you can relax and get lost in a book.
4. Choose engaging books
If your child is old enough to show preferences, choose books with characters (real or make-believe, animal or human) and themes which are familiar to them. Choose interactive books when you can, e.g. books with pop-up characters and pictures, books with lift-the-flap reveals and touch-and-feel activities. In short, choose books which provoke wonder, surprise and excitement. Children like a sense of ownership, so buy books for your child and let them see you write their names in them, even if they are not yet able to read on their own.
5. Establish a reading routine
While anytime is a good time to read to your child, it is also a good idea to establish a regular routine, like at bedtime or after dinner. Children will soon get used to the idea and will specifically ask that you read to them at a particular time.
6. Visit the library with your child
If you borrow books for your children from a library, take them with you. Get them their own personal membership card as soon as they are allowed to. Most public libraries have a section set aside for children. Let them browse through books on the shelves or while seated at the tables and chairs set aside for them. Let them see you go through the routine of borrowing books.
7. Read actively
When reading aloud to your child, make sure that you engage actively with them. By doing this, you are training them to engage actively with the text, even when they read silently. While reading, point to words and pictures, identify them, ask questions and encourage discussion.
Raj M. Isaac is a retired senior education specialist who has researched the teaching of reading for his Master’s degree in Education.
